Driving method of plasma display panel

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a driving method of a PDP(Plasma Display Panel) capable of stably displaying by removing excess charged particles collected on the outside of a display screen through a reciprocating action of a scan direction. The driving method of a PDP(Plasma Display Panel) including a pair of substrates arranged at a prescribed interval, a plurality of address electrodes formed on one of the substrates and scan electrodes to the number of N formed to intersect the address electrodes includes the steps of: dividing 1 field of input video signal into a plurality of sub-fields having brightness weight respectively; and applying a scan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N in order and simultaneously applying an input video data signal pulse to the plurality of address electrodes, in each sub-field, to have an address period designating cells to be displayed and a sustain period applying a sustain pulse to the designated cells according to the brightness weight of the corresponding sub-field, wherein the plurality of sub-fields include sub-fields, which have the address period applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N in order of 1, 2, . . . , N−1 and N, and sub-fields, which have the address period applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes in order of N, N−1, . . . , 2 and 1. The present invention can prevent abnormal discharge and dielectric breakdown occurring by the excess charged particles collected on the outside of the display screen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a driving method of a PDP(PlasmaDisplay Panel), and more particularly, to a driving method of a PDPcapable of preventing abnormal discharge and dielectric breakdown due toexcess charged particles collected on the outside of a display screen.

[0003] 2. Background of the Related Art

[0004]FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a conventionalsurface-discharge type AC PDP(Plasma Display Panel). The surfacedischarge AC PDP includes a front glass substrate 1, an addresselectrode 3 formed on the front glass substrate 1, a rear glasssubstrate 2 opposed to the front glass substrate 1, electrodes X and Y(7 and 8) arranged parallel to each other on the rear glass substrate 2,a dielectric layer 6 formed to cover the electrodes X and Y, an MgOprotection layer formed on the dielectric layer, and a barrier 4disposed between the front glass substrate 1 and the rear glasssubstrate 2 and dividing a discharge space.

[0005]FIG. 2 illustrates an arrangement of driving electrodes of the PDPof FIG. 1. The driving electrodes include a plurality of addresselectrodes A1, A2, A3, . . . , Am−1 and Am arranged parallel to oneanother and a plurality of electrodes X and electrodes Y Y1, Y2, Y3, . .. , Yn−1 and Yn arranged approximately vertical to the addresselectrodes. Discharge cells are formed at intersections of theelectrodes X and Y and the address electrodes, electrodes Y are scanelectrodes and electrodes X are common electrodes connected commonly.

[0006]FIG. 3 illustrates an ADS (Address Display-period Separation)method for driving the PDP of FIGS. 1 and 2. In the ADS method, 1 fieldof video signal is divided into 8 sub-fields; each sub-field consistingof a reset period, an address period and a sustain period. The resetperiod is a period for initializing the discharge cells by dischargingall discharge cells of FIG. 2, the address period is a period fordesignating the discharge cells to be displayed according to videosignal input, and the sustain period is a period for sustain dischargeto the discharge cells designated in the address period. In the sustainperiod of each sub-field, a weight value is assigned as a displayperiod, thereby combining the sub-fields to display multi-grade.

[0007] In general, scan lines Y1, Y2, Y3, . . . , Yn−1 and Yn of the PDPof FIG. 2, in case of a VGA (Video Graphics Array), consist of 480lines, and the address operation is carried out by scanning to each linein a line sequential method, and at the same time, applying data signalthrough the address electrodes. As shown in FIG. 3, in the ADS method ofdividing 1 video field into 8 sub-fields and having the address periodsfor all scan lines every sub-field, the scan period of 1 scan line isabout 2.5 μs, and a period for scanning the whole 1 video field isapproximately 2.5 (μs)×480 (lines)×8 (sub-fields), namely 9.6 μs.Because it takes 9.6 μs to scan if the 1 video field is about 16.7 μs,the residual period, that is, 7.1 μs is used for gray scale. However, ifthe number of the sub-fields is increased to 10 to remove false contouror to increase the number of gray scales, the scan period is 2.5(μs)×480 (lines)×10 (sub-fields), namely 12 μs, and so, display must beperformed in very high frequency because there is the period for thegray scale of only 4.7 μs left. Furthermore, In case that scan linesover 760 are used in an HD TV(High Definition TV), the scan period is2.5 (μs)×760 (lines)×8 (sub-fields), namely 15.2 μs; most of 1 videoperiod being used for the scan period.

[0008] To solve the above problems, as shown in FIG. 4, there is used adriving method of dividing the address electrodes into upper and lowerparts. The method has a disadvantage that a plurality of driving ICs areused, but has several advantages that sub-fields more than that of theprior arts can be applied and the method can be used in the HD TV ofscan lines over 760 by reducing the scan period to ½.

[0009]FIG. 5 illustrates a scan sequence in a driving method of aconventional PDP. In the scan sequence, a scan pulse is applied to thescan electrodes (electrodes Y) of 1, 2, . . . and 480 lines everysub-field in order, and at the same time, an input video data pulse isapplied to the address electrodes. At this time, if the scanning isperformed repeatedly, electric potential rises or falls by accumulationor vanishment of excess charged particles on the outer portion of adisplay screen adjacent to the scan electrode of the final line, i.e.,the 480^(th) line. So, there occurs abnormal discharge on the cells invicinity of the scan electrode of the 480^(th) line, thereby reducingreliability by deteriorating video quality or by occurring dielectricbreakdown.

[0010] In the same way, FIG. 6 illustrates a scan sequence in a drivingmethod of a conventional PDP in which address electrodes are dividedinto two. For example, when an addressing is performed in order of1^(st)˜240^(th) lines and in order of 241^(st)˜480^(th), electriccharges are abnormally collected on a boundary between upper addresselectrodes and lower address electrodes, i.e., a central part, and onthe outer portion of a display screen of 480^(th) line and electricpotential rises, thereby, occurring abnormal discharge on the cells invicinity of the central part and of the 480^(th) line to deteriorate thevideo quality or generate dielectric breakdown.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a drivingmethod of a PDP(Plasma Display Panel) that substantially obviates one ormore problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a driving methodof a PDP, which can prevent abnormal discharge and dielectric breakdowndue to excess charged particles collected on the outside of a displayscreen.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a drivingmethod of a PDP, which can prevent abnormal discharge and dielectricbreakdown occurring at a divided central part of the PDP adopting amethod of driving by dividing address electrodes.

[0014] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the inventionwill be set forth in part in the description which follows and in partwill become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0015] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordancewith the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly describedherein, a driving method of a PDP (Plasma Display Panel) including apair of substrates arranged at a prescribed interval, a plurality ofaddress electrodes formed on one of the substrates and scan electrodesto the number of N formed to intersect the address electrodes comprisesthe steps of: dividing 1 field of input video signal into a plurality ofsub-fields having brightness weight respectively; and applying a scanpulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N in order andsimultaneously applying an input video data signal pulse to theplurality of address electrodes, in each sub-field, to have an addressperiod designating cells to be displayed and a sustain period applying asustain pulse to the designated cells according to the brightness weightof the corresponding sub-field, wherein the plurality of sub-fieldsinclude sub-fields, which have the address period applying the scanpulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N in order of 1, 2, . . ., N−1 and N, and sub-fields, which have the address period applying thescan pulse to the scan electrodes in order of N, N−1 , . . . , 2 and 1.

[0016] It is preferable that the sub-fields, which have the addressperiod applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number of Nin order of 1, 2, . . . , N−1 and N, are odd number sub-fields and thesub-fields, which have the address period applying the scan pulse to thescan electrodes in order of N, N−1, . . . , 2 and 1, are even numbersub-fields.

[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, a driving method of aPDP(Plasma Display Panel) including a pair of substrates arranged at aprescribed interval, a plurality of address electrodes formed on one ofthe substrates, the address electrodes being divided into an upper partand a lower part, and scan electrodes to the number of N formed tointersect the address electrodes comprises the steps of: dividing 1field of input video signal into a plurality of sub-fields havingbrightness weight respectively; and applying a scan pulse to the scanelectrodes to the number of N/2 intersecting the upper or lower addresselectrodes in order and simultaneously applying an input video datasignal pulse to the upper or lower address electrodes, in eachsub-field, to have an address period designating cells to be displayedand a sustain period applying a sustain pulse to the designated cellsaccording to the brightness weight of the corresponding sub-field,wherein the plurality of sub-fields include sub-fields, which have theaddress period applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes to thenumber of N/2 in order of 1, 2, . . . and N2 and in order of (N/2)+1, .. . and N, and sub-fields, which have the address period applying thescan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N/2 in order of N/2,. . . , 2 and 1 and in order of N, N−1 and (N/2)+1.

[0018] It is preferable that the sub-fields, which have the addressperiod applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number ofN/2 respectively intersecting the upper and lower address electrodes inorder of 1, 2, . . . and N/2 and in order of (N/2)+1, . . . and N, areodd number sub-fields, and the sub-fields, which have the address periodapplying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N/2intersecting the upper address electrodes in order of N/2, . . . , 2 and1 and in order of N, N−1, and (N/2)+1, are even number sub-fields.

[0019] Additionally, it is preferable that in each sub-fields, the scanpulse to the scan electrodes intersecting the upper address electrodesis applied in order of 1, 2, . . . and N/2 and the scan pulse to thescan electrodes intersecting the lower address electrodes is applied inorder of N, N−1, . . . and (N/2)+1.

[0020] It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description of the presentinvention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to providefurther explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide afurther understanding of the invention and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of theinvention and together with the description serve to explain theprinciple of the invention. In the drawings:

[0022]FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a structure of aconventional surface-discharge AC PDP(Plasma Display Panel);

[0023]FIG. 2 illustrates a view showing an arrangement of electrodes fordriving the PDP;

[0024]FIG. 3 illustrates a view of a sub-field structure in anADS(Address Display-period Separation) method;

[0025]FIG. 4 illustrates a view of a PDP having a bipartite addresselectrode structure;

[0026]FIG. 5 illustrates a view of a scan sequence in a conventional PDPdriving method;

[0027]FIG. 6 illustrates a view of a scan sequence in a conventionaldriving method of the PDP in which address electrodes are divided intotwo;

[0028]FIG. 7 illustrates a view of a scan sequence in a driving methodfor a PDP according to the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 8 illustrates a view of a scan sequence in a driving methodof a PDP, in which address electrodes are divided into two, according tothe present invention; and

[0030]FIG. 9 illustrates a view of another scan sequence in the drivingmethod of the PDP , in which address electrodes are divided into two,according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodimentsof the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

[0032]FIG. 7 illustrates an ADS(Address Display-period Separation)driving method of a PDP(Plasma Display Panel) according to the presentinvention. In the ADS driving method, 1 field of video signal of about16.67 μs is divided into, for example, 8 sub-fields; each sub-fieldconsisting of a reset period, an address period and a sustain period.

[0033] The reset period is a period for uniforming discharge conditionsof all cells by applying voltage of about 350 V higher than sustainvoltage.

[0034] The address period is a period for designating discharge cells,to be displayed, by applying a scan pulse to a plurality of scanelectrodes (electrodes Y in FIG. 2) in order and, at the same time, byapplying input video data signal to address electrodes. The designationof the cells, to be displayed, is made in such a manner that addressdischarge occurs by applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes andapplying data pulse of the address electrodes, and thereby space chargedparticle is generated and wall charges are collected on a dielectriclayer (MgO layer) covering the scan electrodes shown in FIG. 1. Afterthat, if a sustain pulse is applied to the scan electrodes and commonelectrodes in turn during the sustain period, the sustain voltage isadded to the collected wall charges, thereby generating sustaindischarge. On the other side, the cells, on which the wall charges arenot collected, (nondesignated cells without data input) do not generatethe sustain discharge because having only the sustain pulse. Thisfunction calls a memory function or a designation function of the cells,to be displayed.

[0035]FIG. 7 illustrates a driving method of the PDP according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention. First, third, fifth andseventh sub-fields apply the scan pulse to the scan electrodes in orderof 1, 2, . . . and 480^(th) lines and second, fourth, sixth and eighthsub-fields apply the scan pulse to the scan electrodes in order of480^(th), 479^(th), . . . , 2^(nd) and 1^(st) lines. In such a manner,the polarity of excess charged particle generated on the scan electrodeof the 480^(th) line in the odd number sub-fields and that of chargedparticle generated in the scan electrode of 480^(th) line in the evennumber sub-fields are opposed to each other, thereby reducing orremoving the excess charged particles collected finally. After all, thereduction or removal of the excess charged particles can preventabnormal discharge or dielectric breakdown on the discharge cells invicinity of the scan electrode of the 480^(th) line.

[0036]FIG. 8 illustrates a driving method of a PDP, in which the addresselectrodes are divided into two, according to the present invention. Thefirst, third, fifth and seventh sub-fields apply the scan pulse to thescan electrodes in order of 1^(st) to 240^(th) lines intersecting upperaddress electrodes and in order of 241^(st) to 480^(th) linesintersecting lower address electrodes, and the second, fourth, sixth andeighth sub-fields apply the scan pulse to the scan electrodes in orderof 240^(th) to 1^(st) lines intersecting the upper address electrodesand in order of 480^(th) to 241^(st) lines intersecting the loweraddress electrodes. In such a manner, the polarity of the excess chargedparticles generated on the central part in the odd number sub-fields andthat of the charged particles generated through the address discharge ofthe central part in the even number sub-fields are opposed to eachother, thereby reducing or removing the excess charged particlescollected finally. After all, the reduction or removal of the excesscharged particles can prevent abnormal discharge or dielectric breakdownon the discharge cells in vicinity of the central part, i.e., thedischarge cells in vicinity of the scan electrode of the 240^(th) lineand the scan electrode of the 241^(st) line.

[0037]FIG. 9 illustrates a driving method of a PDP, in which the addresselectrodes are divided into two, according to another preferredembodiment of the present invention. The odd number sub-fields apply thescan pulse to the scan electrodes in order of 1^(st), 2^(nd), . . . and240^(th) lines intersecting the upper address electrodes and in order of480^(th), 479^(th), . . . and 241^(st) lines intersecting the loweraddress electrodes, and the even number sub-fields apply the scan pulseto the scan electrodes in order of 240^(th), 239^(th), . . . and1^(st 1) lines intersecting the upper address electrodes and in order of241^(th), 242^(nd), and 480^(th) lines intersecting the lower addresselectrodes. It has the same effect as the first embodiment.

[0038] Additionally, not shown in the drawings, but it is also possiblethat the odd number sub-fields apply the scan pulse to the scanelectrodes in order of 1^(st), 2^(nd), . . . and 240^(th) linesintersecting the upper address electrodes and in order of 241^(st),242^(nd), . . . and 480^(th) lines intersecting the lower addresselectrodes, and the even number sub-fields apply the scan pulse to thescan electrodes in order of 240^(th), 239^(th), . . . and 1^(st) linesintersecting the upper address electrodes and in order of 480^(th),479^(th), . . . and 241^(st) lines intersecting the lower addresselectrodes.

[0039] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent theabnormal discharge or dielectric breakdown generated by the chargedparticles collected on or vanished from the outside of the displayscreen.

[0040] Moreover, it is possible to prevent the abnormal discharge ordielectric breakdown generated at the divided central part of the PDPadopting the ADS method.

[0041] The forgoing embodiments are merely exemplary and are not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention. The present teachings canbe readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of thepresent invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit thescope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A driving method of a PDP(Plasma Display Panel)including a pair of substrates arranged at a prescribed interval, aplurality of address electrodes formed on one of the substrates and scanelectrodes to the number of N formed to intersect the addresselectrodes, the driving method comprising the steps of: dividing 1 fieldof input video signal into a plurality of sub-fields having brightnessweight respectively; and applying a scan pulse to the scan electrodes tothe number of N in order and simultaneously applying an input video datasignal pulse to the plurality of address electrodes, in each sub-field,to have an address period designating cells to be displayed and asustain period applying a sustain pulse to the designated cellsaccording to the brightness weight of the corresponding sub-field,wherein the plurality of sub-fields include sub-fields, which have theaddress period applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes to thenumber of N in order of 1, 2, . . . , N−1 and N, and sub-fields, whichhave the address period applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodesin order of N, N−1, . . . , 2 and
 1. 2. The driving method according toclaim 1, wherein the sub-fields, which have the address period applyingthe scan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N in order of 1,2, . . . , N−1 and N, are odd number sub-fields and the sub-fields,which have the address period applying the scan pulse to the scanelectrodes in order of N, N−1, . . . , 2 and 1, are even numbersub-fields.
 3. The driving method according to claim 1, wherein thesub-fields, which have the address period applying the scan pulse to thescan electrodes to the number of N in order of 1, 2, . . . and N−1 andN, are even number sub-fields and the sub-fields, which have the addressperiod applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes in order of N,N−1, . . . , 2 and 1, are odd number sub-fields.
 4. A driving method ofa PDP(Plasma Display Panel) including a pair of substrates arranged at aprescribed interval, a plurality of address electrodes formed on one ofthe substrates, the address electrodes being divided into an upper partand a lower part, and scan electrodes to the number of N formed tointersect the address electrodes, the driving method comprising thesteps of: dividing 1 field of input video signal into a plurality ofsub-fields having brightness weight respectively; and applying a scanpulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N/2 intersecting the upperand lower address electrodes in order and simultaneously applying aninput video data signal pulse to the upper and lower address electrodes,in each sub-field, to have an address period designating cells to bedisplayed and a sustain period applying a sustain pulse to thedesignated cells according to the brightness weight of the correspondingsub-field, wherein the plurality of sub-fields include sub-fields, whichhave the address period applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodesto the number of N/2 intersecting the upper address electrodes in orderof 1, 2, and N/2 and applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes tothe number of N/2 intersecting the lower address electrodes in order of(N/2)+1, . . . and N, and sub-fields, which have the address periodapplying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N/2intersecting the upper address electrodes in order of N/2, . . . , 2 and1 and applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number ofN/2 intersecting the lower address electrodes in order of N, N−1, and(N/2)+1.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the sub-fields,which have the address period applying the scan pulse to the scanelectrodes to the number of N/2 respectively intersecting the upper andlower address electrodes in order of 1, 2, . . . and N/2 and in order of(N/2)+1, . . . and N, are odd number sub-fields, and the sub-fields,which have the address period applying the scan pulse to the scanelectrodes to the number of N/2 intersecting the upper addresselectrodes in order of N/2, . . . , 2 and 1 and in order of N, N−1, and(N/2)+1, are even number sub-fields.
 6. The method according to claim 4,wherein the sub-fields, which have the address period applying the scanpulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N/2 respectivelyintersecting the upper and lower address electrodes in order of 1, 2, .. . and N/2 and in order of (N/2)+1, . . . and N, are even numbersub-fields, and the sub-fields, which have the address period applyingthe scan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N/2 intersectingthe upper address electrodes in order of N/2, . . . , 2 and 1 and inorder of N, N−1, and (N/2)+1, are odd number sub-fields.
 7. A drivingmethod of a PDP(Plasma Display Panel) including a pair of substratesarranged at a prescribed interval, a plurality of address electrodesformed on one of the substrates, the address electrodes being dividedinto an upper part and a lower part, and scan electrodes to the numberof N formed to intersect the address electrodes, the driving methodcomprising the steps of: dividing 1 field of input video signal into aplurality of sub-fields having brightness weight respectively; andapplying a scan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N/2intersecting the upper and lower address electrodes in order andsimultaneously applying an input video data signal pulse to the upperand lower address electrodes, in each sub-field, to have an addressperiod designating cells to be displayed and a sustain period applying asustain pulse to the designated cells according to the brightness weightof the corresponding sub-field, wherein the plurality of sub-fieldsinclude sub-fields, which have the address period applying the scanpulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N/2 intersecting the upperaddress electrodes in order of N/2, (N/2)−1, . . . and 1 and applyingthe scan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number of N/2 intersectingthe lower address electrodes in order of (N/2)+1, . . . and N, andsub-fields, which have the address period applying the scan pulse to thescan electrodes to the number of N/2 intersecting the upper addresselectrodes in order of 1, 2, . . . and N/2 and applying the scan pulseto the scan electrodes to the number of N/2 intersecting the loweraddress electrodes in order of N, N−1, and (N/2)+1.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 7, wherein the sub-fields, which have the addressperiod applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number ofN/2 respectively intersecting the upper and lower address electrodes inorder of N/2, (N/2)−1, . . . and 1 and in order of (N/2)+1, . . . and N,are odd number sub-fields, and the sub-fields, which have the addressperiod applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes to the number ofN/2 intersecting the upper address electrodes in order of 1, 2, . . .and N/2 and in order of N, N−1, and (N/2)+1, are even number sub-fields.9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the sub-fields, which havethe address period applying the scan pulse to the scan electrodes to thenumber of N/2 respectively intersecting the upper and lower addresselectrodes in order of N/2, (N/2)−1, . . . and 1 and in order of(N/2)+1, . . . and N, are even number sub-fields, and the sub-fields,which have the address period applying the scan pulse to the scanelectrodes to the number of N/2 intersecting the upper addresselectrodes in order of 1, 2, . . . and N/2 and in order of N, N−1, and(N/2)+1, are odd number sub-fields.